I've done a lot of research and thinking of how to set up the best solar/DIY LFP system that I can for our Sprinter install. For reference, we'll have ~400 watts of solar and 280ah of LFP. In my research, I was inspired by @Craig 's method of using the Chargery to shut off his Solar Charge...
Just spent the past 45 mins testing, disassembling, and re-tightening. Im embarrassed to admit that the terminals on (you guessed it) cell #4 were loose. The voltage of all cells (measured at the cells w a multimeter) was within about 20mv. While I was in there, I sanded all the cell-level bus...
I also am relieved to read this thread. As a newcomer to this forum, I have done TONS of reading and searching, and I think I have a good handle on conceptually what a BMS is, how to pick one, what my needs are, etc. I want to learn. This is DIYsolarforum after all. I do think #3 is a good...
Just jumping in because @Bob B tagged me, I didnt read the rest of the discussion...
... Yes, Jason was happy to send me a new BMS. I will have to ship him back my old one, not sure how much that will cost yet. I'm still testing the replacement to see if it will work. Overall, I love the...
I have qty 4, 7 watt heating pads (for a total of 28 watts) on my qty 4 280ah cells, with a 1/16 in steel plate for dissipation. Knowing what I know now, I would have used a thicker aluminum plate. Aluminum dissipates heat better. They have 1/2 to 3/4 of XPS foam insulation on each side, except...
I haven't moved the temp probes yet (although I think I will), but I was pleasantly surprised this morning. Overnight temps were 1ºF, the coldest they've been all season. The cell temp (with both Chargery temp probes on top of the cells) were at 42.3ºF! Heating pads were fed 13.2v from my power...
Exciting! I've been following this thread with anticipation. You ordered the cells mid April, correct? I need to get mine ordered so I can build something in like... August. Haha!
Fairly stoked about this test. I positioned 2 thermometers on the battery—one on top of the cells, one on bottom (right next to the heating pad). It was about 29º overnight, and roughly 33º at the time of test (morning). I turned the plate on and left it for about 20 mins. Checked it, not much...
Yep, another Sprinter electrical system. But I thought this one was kinda neat, being that I custom designed & built a system for folding the panels up. They are 160 w Newpowa panels. 160 watts is stationary, but the other 320 watts folds upward. Please note that the primary reason behind the...
Good call. I picked up some clear plastic tubing this morning on the way to work for the sections of all-thread. Not entirely sure what to do for the lower section with angle iron, but I'll figure something out.
I thought about it, and I think it will. But I think I'm on track to convince my wife to let put an 8" or possibly 10" subwoofer there. Gotta prioritize ;)
Currently estimating around 140-150 amps peak, including 80% inverter inefficiency. This will be from a Vitamix blender, so no more than...
Ha! Yep, I should have said long.
I can find plenty of 40" panels—I just really liked the space usage of the 160w. The 250 linked above look really cool! But a van roof would max out at 500 watts (with fan/AC or whatever)—with the 160w in less space, you could fit almost 650w!
@HRTKD , wish you were in the Minneapolis area. We have a metal shop called Coremark Metals. I dont know if I have ever been to a store that I like more. Staff is extremely friendly and knowledgable. Prices are competitive. They will cut stuff and do small/simple fabrication for you. I believe...
The cells are pretty "slippery". But based on my experiences clamping the cells, I think you're a bit paranoid ;) That said, better to be safe than sorry! I don't see why it would hurt? I'll be curious to see what you end up doing!
I was (and still sort of am) having this same issue with my Kisae DMT1250. I had to set the termination current to 10 amps for my 280ah lifepo4 bank. I'm still learning how it affects the switch from bulk to float/absorb charge, but it usually disconnects when fully charged now. I think my issue...
Exciting. Received my cells last week. All of them right at 3.28v.
They came very well packaged in 2 seperate boxes (on back to back days), I just put them in the same box so I can store/move them easier. I've got a pretty busy next few weeks of working on other stuff in van, but I hope to...
I LOVE the solar slider. Its awesome work! I was planning on doing something very similar with our Sprinter conversion, I even have Unistrut on the top of our van for platform mounting. Do you have more pictures and details about that? Specifically the sliding mechanism. It looks strong and well...
Yep, good call. I'd have to adjust that as well. I definitely don't want to turn off my temp alarms, but I think I feel comfortable adjusting the "difference of battery temp" to around 30ºF.
Hi! Sorry to dredge up an old thread. But were you able to successfully used a standard switch to control the on/off function of the inverter? I'd like to be able to turn the inverter off with a Victron Battery protect via a remote switch/wire. I found this, and might use that instead to avoid...
I think even with freight it's a good deal, especially if you have higher loads or want to stay off grid longer. I paid under $500 for my cells, will probably be under $700 after enclosure, BMS, wire, etc. Thats about the same price at lead acid at half the weight, no off gassing, faster...
Wow. That is seriously amazing, I love it! So basically, you used the guts from an old 12v fridge and replaced it into a new fridge? That is a great idea. Make me want to buy one of these...
Thanks!
Latch: https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Door-Latch/Paneloc/F707-204P011.html
Stainless steel which is obviously nice/required for corrosion resistance. It isn't the smoothest latch mechanism—I took it apart and lubed it up with wheel bearing grease and that helped. I still wish they...